When I first saw Sackboy, in all his knitterly glory, I knew I *needed* to make him. He really didn't take that long. Only a couple of weekends and he didn't monopolize my time. I added the detail stitching on weeknights, after work. He's not perfect, but I'm happy with him. I may make him a friend once I've gotten a chance to play the game and can scrutinize the Sackpeople.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to share the pattern for him. This isn't about me not wanting to help other people out or share the love. It's about me wanting to do the right thing. You can skip to the end of this blog post now if you aren't into soapboxes.

I think that most people found my blog because of my free patterns, and I hope you know how I feel about free patterns: I love them! I love sharing my original designs because I think it's important to give back to the knitting community. Free patterns are a great way for all of us to stretch our skills and learn new techniques, try something different without worrying "do I really want to spend x dollars and end up with a pattern beyond my level?" However, I won't share the pattern for my version of Sackboy for the simple reason that he is a trademarked character. I'm sure Media Molecule (the game developer) has marketing deals to sell Sackboy merchandise. If they don't, they should. I would buy the stuff.

You see, even if I offered my pattern for free, I would end up cutting into MM's possible profits. Sure, one or two people knitting a Sackboy wouldn't be a big deal, but if you multiply that by a few dozen and then factor in that some people would try to sell them, well, you can see where things get messy. And I would have the legal responsibility for having offered the pattern in the first place.

Big (and little) companies have access to better/more expensive lawyers than I do. I like my hard-earned money. More than I like lemons. I like my money in my accounts. It's happy there. My money will not be happy in some expensive lawyer's account.

I believe that the game developers should make money from a character that they have spent years creating and refining and breathing life into. I mean fercryinoutloud look at how cute and full of personality they've managed to make a bunch of pixels! Hopefully some of the profit will allow them to create future games and characters that are just as wonderful as Little Big Planet and Sackboy. I don't want to be responsible for taking anything away from their hard work. Ok, hopping off the soapbox.

Making accessories for this little guy is going to be a lot of fun. He definitely will be needing a hat with earflaps. Even though LBP's release day has been pushed back, I plan on hermitting myself away the weekend after it starts selling and spending some quality time getting to know Sackboy. Maybe if I leave some needles and yarn out, Sackie will knit his own friends.

37 comments:

ahhh you beat me to it!i was planning on making one of these little guys but seeing as i'm just getting back into knitting i haven't figured out how to make a little guy like this >.<but i understand you can't share the pattern damn copyrights sometimesi'm seriously having cuteness overload hahah

He looks great! Just when you think you're finished, you start on the accessories...Its addictive. I've been on to MM about giving the pattern out for free, and their legal team is on to it. I'll let you know what I hear...

your sackboy is awesome :)i haven't even got a ps3 so the closest i'd get to this game would be knitting my own! i totally understand why you don't want to give the pattern out on your blog, especially after all the kerfuffle with the adipose and the bbc, but have you thought about perhaps getting in touch with MM for them to release the pattern even for money (and obviously recompense you at the same time?). they seem to be down with the crafty types, but i can't see them making their own knitting pattern and releasing it :( i really wish the bbc had done the same, but until they do, i am stuck knitting illegally...(sorry bout the repost!)

Stitchlily, who left a comment a little further up, has been in contact with MM about her crochet pattern being offered for free. She's been keeping the LBP group on Ravelry updated on what's going on. If they allow her to offer her pattern, I may contact them to see if they/Sony would allow me to share mine as well.

MM and Sony have had other issues to deal with, so I don't want to add another request to their inbox until the excitement and busy-ness of the game's launch has settled down. Also, you never know. They very well may offer a pattern. Remember that one of the developer's mom knitted a Sackboy back in the beginning of the year. I'm sure they've already received requests for that pattern. :)

hi! I stumbled across your blog because I'm a big sackboy fan and I also like lemons, yum. I work in the game industry too, it's such a small world. I can't knit beyond scarves, since I don't know any terminology so reading patterns is rather difficult. Do you have any suggestions for good sites? Keep up the great work, love all your photos too.

I wish I had your talent to figure out a Sackboy pattern. My fiance was a beta tester for Little Big Planet and has been waiting the games release for weeks. His joy when it came in the post this morning!!! I'm scouring the net for a pattern..hence finding your blog. Looks like I will have to wait a bit longer :(

your version of sackboy is too adorable! i completely understand your reasoning for not sharing a pattern, but would it be possible to give pointers on creating an open mouth like that? any tips would be very much appreciated!

I just looked at the free pattern from Simply Knitting, I have to say, your Sackboy is WAY cuter! I would love to know how to do the opening in the mouth....Even if that's all that you could share with us, we could adapt.... Think you would be willing? :):):)

I totally applaud your "soapbox"explanation,better safe then sorry.Today,on ebay I saw the free downloadable pattern being sold by someone for $24,95!can you believe it??That is so wrong,I really really love your little guy(just told you this on flickr but just had to tell you again!)you did an amazing job bringing him to life!hugs from Holland